Florida Senate - 2021                                     SR 618
       
       
        
       By Senator Perry
       
       
       
       
       
       8-00924A-21                                            2021618__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing May 10, 2021, and each May 10
    3         thereafter, as “First Responders Mental Health
    4         Awareness Day” in Florida.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, Florida is home to a large community of first
    7  responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters,
    8  emergency medical service professionals, emergency medical
    9  technicians, and paramedics, who work tirelessly on behalf of
   10  the people of this state, often without regard to the peril to
   11  their own well-being, and
   12         WHEREAS, while mental health problems can affect people of
   13  all ages and walks of life, first responders are at a higher
   14  risk than the general population of suffering mental health
   15  issues due to the challenging nature of their duties, and
   16         WHEREAS, research frequently describes shame and stigma
   17  surrounding mental health care needs within a profession that
   18  prioritizes bravery and toughness, and
   19         WHEREAS, while this culture is, perhaps, necessary to
   20  survive the dangers of the job, it also contributes to the
   21  phenomenon of first responders not seeking help to manage
   22  chronic stress or trauma injury, or not even recognizing the
   23  need before it becomes critical, and
   24         WHEREAS, we also must recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic
   25  represents one of the biggest challenges in modern times,
   26  especially to our first responders, as they face increased
   27  workloads as they adapt to policing and emergency response
   28  models in a pandemic, compounding the dynamic nature of first
   29  responder stress and fatigue at a time when health, wellness,
   30  and resiliency are more critical than ever, and
   31         WHEREAS, police, firefighters, and emergency medical
   32  personnel pay a high price for their prompt response to the
   33  needs of others, and
   34         WHEREAS, we owe a great debt to our first responders and
   35  will continue to work to improve their mental health care, their
   36  lives, and the lives of their families, no matter the week or
   37  month, and
   38         WHEREAS, we salute all of our heroes risking their lives to
   39  protect us all, NOW, THEREFORE,
   40  
   41  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   42  
   43         That May 10, 2021, and each May 10 thereafter, is
   44  recognized as “First Responders Mental Health Awareness Day” in
   45  Florida.